Use your radio 16/13. If you are passed throttle back to idle so the pass is completed quickly. I doubt you'll see a supertanker in the canal, but you certainly might in the bay or the Delaware. Barges are just as big a concern. The canal is pretty well controlled and any really big ships will make a securite call before entering.

They just lumber along at a good speed.. it's up to EVERY vessel to make way or suffer the consequences.. the depths are good nearly all across the canal and it's wide enough for barges and ships to pass each other.

"Next best thing to not having a boat? The knowledge from having one!" Denise, Bristol PA, On Tidal Delaware River, Anchor Yacht Club. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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You don't want to stay in the center if there's a large ship coming upon you. I assume that it doesn't see me and will run right over me rather than cause an environmental hazard potentially running aground to avoid me (which I doubt it will). I have had success in the C&D contacting ships and tugs on ch. 13 and letting them know that I will move to one side or the other. They seemed appreciative. The smaller boats (meaning me) have more leeway on the sides of the canal than the large ships.

Stay on the starboard side of the canal, the north side, going Delaware to Chesapeake, on the south side Chesapeake to Delaware. The commercial vessel is constricted by draft, smaller pleasure vessels must yield.

After the commercial vessel passes jump its wake (may be 8ft trough to crest) and ride the calmer water between starboard and port wakes, unless another vessel is following, then stay to the side but keep an eye on the depth sounder.

No supertankers in the canal, large barges and a few smaller freighters, the control depth is 35ft.

I have transited with at times up to six commercial vessels passing and at other times with none.

"Next best thing to not having a boat? The knowledge from having one!" Denise, Bristol PA, On Tidal Delaware River, Anchor Yacht Club. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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The C&D is SO deep, it's very practical for recreational traffic to cruise well outside the marked channel in 20 feet of water. In fact, I find safety in running water shallow enough that big shipping cannot hit me.

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